Box Office Preview! What's New This Weekend?

A 2012 crime thriller starring Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta and James Gandolfini. Based on George V. Higgins' novel of the same name. Jackie Cogan (Pitt) is a professional enforcer who investigates a heist that went down during a mob-protected poker game.

-- This weekend, “Killing Them Softly,” directed by Andrew Dominik, makes its debut across the country. After a Mob-protected poker game is interrupted by a heist by three stupid criminals, the local criminal economy immediately starts to crumble. Jackie Cogan, a professional enforcer played by Brad Pitt, is hired to restore order in town. “Killing Them Softly” has an R rating for pervasive language, violence, sexual references, and some drug use.

Ready to shock the nation, “The Collection” hits theaters this weekend. This thriller, directed by Marcus Dunstan, sees teenage Elena face her fate at a secret party. After the girl is captured by “The Collector,” a psychopathic serial killer who has designed his own maze of torture and death in an abandoned hotel, her father calls on a group of mercenaries to save her. Arkin, the only man to have escaped The Collector himself, is coerced to lead them through the labyrinth to Elena’s rescue. “The Collection” has an R rating for grisly images, strong bloody violence, brief nudity, and language.

“Dragon,” which came out in 2011 in China, opens November 30 in select theaters across America. Directed by Peter Chan, the action drama takes viewers into the heart of a sinful martial arts expert, Lin Jin-xi (played by Donnie Yen), who only wants to turn things around and start anew. However, when Lin saves a shopkeeper with his moves, so begins the hunt for him by detective Xu Bai-jiu and his former master. “Dragon” has an R rating for violence.

Opening in select theaters, “California Solo” follows the life of former Britpop rocker Lachlan MacAldonich, who’s been living it low in farm country. The most excitement the once-star has is spotting BEAU, a beautiful actress, every so often at the city’s farmers’ market. When Lachlan is charged with a DUI, his past comes back to haunt him, threatening him with deportation. To stay in Los Angeles and to confront his past and put all his demons to rest, he is forced to contact his estranged ex-wife and daughter. “California Solo” is directed by Marshall Lewy and is unrated.

Continuing Films

In “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part Two,” the rivalry between Team Edward and Team Jacob comes to a halt as Bella, now a mother, comes into danger when Irina causes trouble for the new vampire family—Bella, Edward, and the baby. In the final film installment of the best-selling Stephanie Meyers series, the vampires join forces to defeat the powerful and dangerous Volturi once and for all. The movie, directed by Bill Condon, is rated PG-13 for mild sensuality, partial nudity, violence, and disturbing images.

In the hit spy film “Skyfall,” when an important list falls out of M’s hands, her fate falls into the hands of her long-time colleague, James Bond. Once again played by Daniel Craig, the 007 agent must decide whether to maintain his loyalty to his friend and protect M16 in spite of a dangerous threat. Directed by Sam Mendes, “Skyfall” is rated PG-13 for strong language, smoking, mature content, and violence.

Directed by Dan Bradley, “Red Dawn” is the story of citizens of Spokane, Washington, who face a sudden hostile invasion by North Korean forces. The courageous young patriots who survive show their bravery by fighting back to save their town. This remake of the original 1984 war action film is rated PG-13 for intense war violence and language.

The latest from director Peter Ramsey, “Rise of the Guardians,” is an imaginative animated holiday classic that brings viewers face to face with Jack Frost’s unruly wintertime spirit. Soon, however, Mr. Frost hears the bad news—the Nightmare King has plans to take over the world. Jack must turn his lifestyle around to help the legendary Guardians, and in doing so, he unleashes the true spirit of Christmas. “Rise of the Guardians” is rated PG for mildly scary action and thematic elements.

“Wreck-It Ralph” is the animated story of a villain who yearns to be a hero. Tired of being the bad guy, vulnerable Ralph checks out of his current game in Litwak’s Arcade and decides to try to be the good guy in another; however, he runs into some obstacles along the way as he learns that no one has it easy. “Wreck-It Ralph” is directed by Rich Moore and is rated PG for mild violence and rude humor.

“Life of Pi,” based on the novel by Yann Martel, takes young Pi Patel straight into a shipwreck on his journey aboard a freighter to America. Left alone on a life raft, the young boy, accompanied by a Bengal tiger, orangutan, and hyena, struggles to stay alive. Rated PG for emotional thematic content, scary action sequences, and peril, this thought-provoking film is the latest from acclaimed director Ang Lee.